LOCAL COPS GEAR UP FOR WAR ON WEED

Police are warning residents to keep tabs on suspicious behaviour as dope
fiends city-wide prepare to sow their crops, unbeknownst to many property
owners.

"Every year around this time we have a large amount of marijuana that's
planted," said OPP Constable Ted Schendera, noting in a lot of cases the
property owner is unaware the growing is taking place.

"It's hard to give directions of any particular area to watch, but in
particular (be aware of) back roads, less traveled areas, farmers' fields,
bush lots, and certainly forested areas."

He says marijuana is typically planted in outdoor areas allowing for the
most sun exposure.

"Very rarely is it planted in the shade."

For some outdoor grows Const. Schendera says immature plants are
transplanted from indoor hydroponics grow sites, while in others seed is
planted in the earth.

In both cases he says the grows are concealed, which may include carving
out circles in farmers' crops to mask the plants. He says the detachment
has yet to bust anyone planting pot this year, but he says it is only a
matter of time before an outdoor grow is uncovered.

"We do predict some. There's no doubt."

The officer says residents should be aware of and report suspicious
vehicles or vehicles stopped on rural roads, as suspects might be tending
to a nearby grow.

He says people should be on the watch for discarded garden pots, fertilizer
containers, ATV tracks near potential grows, but also for portable gas
cans, which he says often contain water near grows.

"You may see a person at the side of the road, and it may appear the person
is putting gas into their vehicle, but they may be going to water their
crop," Const. Schendera said.

He also says property owners should make themselves aware of what marijuana
looks like.

"Most of the property owners call us and say I've got something suspicious
growing on my property."

"By far the biggest question is, what does it (marijuana) look like."

Marcus Tully/This Week